ROdown Blog
Standing out from the crowd: Monday
Interests, values, appearance, choices, creations… What is it that makes you, you?
What does it mean to be an individual? Does it mean wearing awesome combinations of colours, or styling your hair in a mohawk? Or can you express your individuality by your love of Peruvian folk music?
So many questions!
So often we hear about the importance of valuing individuality, but as young people, we get so many messages from our peers, the media, and society, which often drive a desire to ‘fit in’.
Trends come and go, but we are always ourselves, right? Sometimes it can seem hard to stay true to who we are, while balancing the pressures we face to think, look or act in a certain way.
The truth is that individuality is about so much more than just how we look. It affects our self-esteem, confidence and willingness to try new things. We are all born unique – no two people on Earth are the same. Learning to embrace this uniqueness inevitably leaves us feeling much more self-assured and proud of ourselves for being who we are, not who others want us to be. Sometimes being seen by our peers as ‘cool’ feels like the most important thing in the world, but when it leads us to conceal who we really are, or stay silent about things that matter to us, it might be time to reassess.
Going against the grain can seem intimidating at times, but in many cases, it is those people who are most unique and stay true to their values, that are most admired. Think about it – Andy Warhol, Tom Ballard, Sia, Ellen Degeneres (she rocks the converse shoes with suits), Severn Suzuki, Luna Lovegood (radish earrings ftw!), John BUtler (enough said)...
This Monday on Getting Real (in the Reach Out forums) we’ll be talking about Individuality and Identity. We’d love to hear your stories, suggestions and ideas on valuing ourselves for who we are, and embracing individuality. Head on over at 8pm AEDT on Monday 7th November to join in!
Click here to head to the ReachOut.com Forums
While you’re waiting for Monday to roll around, here are some cool quotes about individuality to get you thinking:
“Do not follow where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde
“I think everybody’s weird. We should all celebrate our individuality and not be embarrassed or ashamed of it.” – Johnny Depp
“The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.” – Friedrich Nietzche
Article by Georgie, ReachOut.com Community Builder
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3 Comments
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mischief_managed
6 months ago
Reply ReportHey marybell,
marybell
6 months ago
Reply ReportI suffer from anxiety and panick attacks, and find the only way out for me is the medication and my psychologist.... and other ideas other than this........thankyou
gphelps
6 months ago
Reply ReportLove it!